Born: 1995 (Whangarei, New Zealand)
Biography:
Laura Dekker, born on September 20, 1995, is a New Zealand-born Dutch sailor. Recognized for her unprecedented achievements in solo sailing, she made history as the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe single-handedly. Let us delve into the captivating life of this adventurous young woman.
Dekker’s seafaring journey began during her parents’ seven-year sailing trip when she was born in the city of Whangarei, New Zealand. Her father, Dick Dekker, is Dutch, while her mother, Babs Müller, is German. Growing up, Dekker embraced her diverse heritage, holding Dutch, German, and New Zealand citizenship.
Early on, Dekker sailed alongside her parents, spending the first five years of her life at sea. However, her parents’ separation in 2002 led to a change in living arrangements. She began living with her father, while her younger sister, Kim, went to live with their mother. Despite the upheaval, sailing remained a prominent part of Dekker’s life.
With a sense of independence and a desire to conquer the waves, Dekker embarked on various sailing ventures. At the age of six, she received an Optimist dinghy for her birthday and swiftly learned to sail it solo, initially accompanied by her father on a windsurfer. The book Maiden Voyage, Tania Aebi’s memoir of her own round-the-world sailing trip, further ignited Dekker’s passion for exploration.
As Dekker grew older, her sailing expeditions became more ambitious. In 2006, she participated in a 24-hour sailing race aboard a friend’s Hurley 700 and, with permission from the owner, borrowed it for personal use. Abiding by Dutch law, which prohibits individuals under the age of 16 from captaining ships exceeding 7 meters in length, Dekker thoroughly enjoyed her time aboard the Hurley 700, which she affectionately named Guppy.
Undeterred by challenges, Dekker embarked on a six-week sailing tour of the Wadden Sea in the summer of 2007, accompanied by her faithful dog, Spot. Her determination and tenacity were further evident when she purchased her own Hurley 700 during the winter and spent her entire 2008 summer vacation cruising around the Netherlands aboard the newly christened Guppy.
In 2009, Dekker set her sights on a more ambitious goal – a round-the-world tour. With her sights firmly fixed on this daring endeavor, she began preparing herself and Guppy for open-ocean sailing. To gain valuable experience, her father encouraged her to first sail to England, hoping to discourage her with the challenging conditions of the open sea. Undaunted, Dekker persevered.
Her record-breaking attempt to circumnavigate the globe single-handedly faced numerous obstacles. The local authorities, citing concerns for her safety, objected to the journey, leading to a custody arrangement between her parents. It was not until July 2010 that a Dutch family court ended this arrangement, clearing the way for Dekker to embark on her historic voyage on August 21, 2010.
Dekker’s solo circumnavigation aboard Guppy, a 12.4-meter two-masted ketch, was a true testament to her courage and skill. After 518 days at sea, she arrived in Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten, on January 21, 2012, at the remarkable age of 16. Her accomplishment was not only a personal triumph but also a significant contribution to the annals of sailing history.
Awards:
– Omit this section as there are no records of official awards or recognitions received by Laura Dekker.